Cameroon U-17 girls’ team pipped their Ethiopian counterpart 5-4 on penalty shootout in U-17 Girls World Cup Qualifier which is due in Middle Eastern nation Jordan.
Ethiopia won the game 2-1 to tie the score on aggregate. Little Lucy were in firm control for the opening 30 minutes as they struck twice in space of 11 minutes to make the score 2-0 and hand Ethiopia the lead on aggregate.
Tideg Fisseha opened the score through a superb chip over hapless keeper Carole Mimboe. Yimserach Lakew doubled the score in the 18th minute as she finds the empty net. Cameroon were desperate after they concede two goals in the interval. Nonetheless they regrouped and came out stronger in the second half.
Cameroon constantly pressured the Ethiopians in search of a goal. They got back on track 3 minutes from regular time through Alexandra Takounda. Takounda struck outside of the box to level matters on aggregate. Cameroon custodian Mimboe was decisive as she denied Ethiopia a place in the last qualifying round.
Mimboe saved two penalties to make sure Cameroon’s progress. Cameroon takes on the winner of Egypt and Djibouti. Egypt trashed Horn of Africa minnows Djibouti 6-0 in the first leg.
Ethiopian U-17 girls national team coach Asrat Abate stated his side is inexperienced. “The team has no experience. The result is not that bad considering we were only knocked out with a penalty shootout. In the second half we wanted to kill the game. However, they players were eager to defend the lead. That is the result of inexperience,” explained Abate.
Cameroon U-17 girls national team coach Minkero Birwe said psychologically his side were good. “The game was splendid. We have seen two strong sides. The Ethiopians are brilliant technically and we were in good shape psychologically. In the first half, a minor lapse of concentration made us to find ourselves trailing 2-0. Nevertheless we rectified our mistakes and came out stronger in the second half.”
